Restorative Yoga

03rd August 2018

Restorative Yoga – relax and rejuvenate

A restorative yoga sequence typically involves only five or six poses, supported by props that allow you to completely relax and rest. Held for 5 minutes or more, restorative poses include light twists, seated forward folds, and gentle backbends. Most restorative practices are based on the teachings of B.K.S. Iyengar.

Soothing to the Nervous System

The slower pace and deep breathing that you get in a restorative yoga class triggers the parasympathetic nervous system from the very first pose. This activation helps to mitigate the effects of the regular fight-or-flight stress response that can be damaging to your physiology and wellbeing.

Encourages Mindfulness

Restorative yoga could just as easily be called “mindful yoga” due to the expanded awareness of self and body that comes through the practice. Slower movements cultivate space for a deeper experience of the poses and the breath. Simply put, you’re able to notice and feel more of the world through your yoga experience.

Cultivates Heightened Body Awareness

The comfortable pace of restorative yoga opens the doorway to a deeper understanding of your own body – perfect for many people who aren’t connected to their own bodies.

Deepens Self-Awareness and Introspection

The subdued quality of a restorative yoga class often helps you draw attention inward and away from external events and situations of the world. With your awareness directed within, the practice becomes a sanctuary for the mind and spirit from which you can take a deeper look at who you are, what you want, and how you can serve the world.

Creates Deliberateness of Action

Through the mindfulness of the practice, you become increasingly aware of your actions and how they influence your level of comfort or discomfort. You can see the direct cause and effect relationship between your poses, breathing, and overall level of wellbeing.

Strengthens Acceptance and Detachment

By its very nature, the restorative yoga practice is the antithesis of the “no-pain-no-gain” mentality. You receive the greatest benefits from your practice not through forcing yourself into a pose, but by releasing and surrendering to it. This mentality helps to cultivate acceptance of your body and its inherent limitations.